Reciprocating saw

ABSTRACT

A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/169,509, filed Oct. 9, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to reciprocating saws, and more particularly to the drive mechanisms of reciprocating saws.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Reciprocating saws are used to cut a variety of objects, such as metal pipes, wood and drywall. Such saws typically include a housing and a spindle mounted in the housing for reciprocating motion along an axis that is parallel to is the longitudinal extent of the spindle. An electric motor provides power to the spindle through a mechanical reciprocating device that converts the rotary motion of a motor shaft to reciprocating motion of the spindle. Such mechanical reciprocating devices can, for example, include an eccentric drive, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,844, or a wobble plate drive, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,025,562 and 5,050,307.

[0004] In addition to various types of drive mechanisms, there are also various types of reciprocating motion. For example, the simplest type is straight linear motion, in which the spindle and blade are translated along a linear path parallel to the spindle and returned along the same path. Alternatively, rocking motion is motion in which the spindle and blade are translated and returned along a path oblique to the spindle axis. Such motion may be straight or curved, and may help to drive the saw blade into the workpiece on the cutting stroke and retract the blade on the return stroke. As another alternative, orbital motion is motion in which the spindle and saw blade are translated along a cutting path and returned along a different path. Typically, the paths form a loop-type movement that forces the saw blade into the workpiece on the cutting stroke and then lifts the saw blade off the workpiece on the return stroke. All of these types of movement involve some reciprocation of the saw blade and are therefore considered to be a form of reciprocating motion.

[0005] The reciprocating motion of the spindle, and other components attached to the spindle such as the saw blade and drive components, causes vibration of the saw. Such vibration makes relative positioning of the saw to the work piece difficult, and can be significant in the case of hand held saws. Therefore, it is known to use a counterbalance that provides an inertial force opposed to the primary reciprocating inertial force. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,562, a reciprocating saw is disclosed including a counterbalanced reciprocating drive having a jack shaft on which primary and secondary wobble plates are mounted. The primary wobble plate drives the spindle, and the secondary wobble plate drives a mass in a direction opposed to the spindle movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Incorporation of a counterbalance into prior art mechanical reciprocating devices, such as eccentric drives and wobble plate drives, can be complex and expensive. Further, the introduction of additional mechanisms into the devices can create another potential point of failure. Accordingly, it is an independent object of the present invention to design a saw that provides an improved drive mechanism without necessarily adding weight, cost, or complexity. It is a related but independent object of the present invention to provide a reciprocating saw drive mechanism that may be inherently counterbalanced, i.e., the counterbalance is integral to the drive mechanism itself, thus not requiring additional moving parts. It is a further independent object of the present invention to provide a drive mechanism that incorporates a shock absorbing feature without adding significant weight, cost, or expense.

[0007] In accordance with one or more of these and other objectives, the invention provides a reciprocating saw comprising a housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, a motor for moving the spindle in a reciprocating fashion, and a reciprocating member interconnecting the motor with the spindle. The reciprocating member is adapted to move in a direction that is at least partially opposed to the direction of the spindle movement, and the motor and the spindle define a drive force path from the motor to the spindle, and at least part of the reciprocating member is in the drive force path. The reciprocating member may thereby be configured to counterbalance movement of the spindle. For example, the reciprocating member may have substantially the same mass as the spindle.

[0008] In one embodiment, the reciprocating member defines an axis and the spindle defines an axis, and the reciprocating member axis is offset from the spindle axis. The reciprocating member axis may be substantially parallel to the spindle axis. The reciprocating saw may further comprise a drive shaft that is driven by the motor wherein the reciprocating member is driven by the drive shaft. For example, the reciprocating member may comprise a barrel cam.

[0009] In one aspect, the saw can further include an actuating member in the form of a pivot body having a first end interconnected with the spindle and a second end driven by the motor. The pivot body can be mounted at a pivot point between the first and second ends. The pivot body may be movable perpendicular to pivot axis to thereby vary the extent to which the spindle is driven.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the saw includes a shock absorber mounted on the spindle and operatively positioned between the motor and the front end to at least partially absorb impact to the front end. The shock absorber may interconnected between the front end and an actuating member, and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle. Preferably, the shock absorber comprises an elastomeric cushion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a side view of a reciprocating saw according to the present invention, shown in partial cross-section.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reciprocating saw, exploded to show individual components.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 5 is an alternative construction of the reciprocating saw shown in FIG. 1, shown in partial cross-section.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of the reciprocating drive assembly.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side view, in cross-section, of the reciprocating drive assembly portion of FIG. 6.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of a reciprocating saw according to the present invention, shown in partial cross-section.

[0019]FIG. 9 is a side view of the reciprocating saw, shown in partial cross-section.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

[0021]FIG. 11 are several views of the adjustment actuator shown in FIGS. 8-10.

[0022] Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangements of processes set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the illustrated embodiment and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a reciprocating saw 10 according to the present invention. Some components of the reciprocating saw 10 may be similar or identical to components shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/699,448, filed Aug. 19, 1996, which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0024] The reciprocating saw 10 generally includes a housing 12 that is configured to house the drive components at the front end and to fit an operator's hand at the rear end. The housing is split in two halves (FIG. 2), which are combined when the saw 10 is assembled. At the front end of the reciprocating saw 10 is a saw blade 18 mounted to a spindle 14 that reciprocates within the saw 10. Specifically, the saw blade 18 is mounted within a blade clamp 16 at the front end of the spindle 14. Such a blade clamp is shown and described in pending International Application No. PCT/US97/03633, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/021,470, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0025] In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the saw blade 18 is oriented such that the serrations will face downward. Thus, the saw blade 18 is configured for downcutting. In some cases, it may be beneficial to reverse the saw blade 18 such that the teeth of the saw blade 18 face upward, thereby configuring the saw for upcutting. The spindle 14, the spindle drive mechanism, and the spindle clamp 16 may be suitably adapted to saw in both directions. Further, the type of motion of the saw blade 18 and the spindle 14 may be varied to make the motion of the saw blade 18 more suitable to upcutting or downcutting, as described hereinafter in further detail.

[0026] The spindle 14 reciprocates in a generally forward and rearward direction, and defines a spindle axis 15 through the center of the spindle 14. The saw blade 18 is reciprocated and thereby moved through a cutting stroke in one direction and a return stroke in a substantially opposite direction. A motor 20 powers the drive mechanism of the reciprocating saw 10 and moves the saw blade 18 through the cutting stroke and the return stroke. Power from the motor 20 passes through a number of drive components before being transferred to the saw blade 18. These drive components thereby define a drive force path that includes those drive components, or those portions of drive components, that carry a drive force from the motor 20 through to the spindle 14 and to the saw blade 18.

[0027] The motor 20 is fixedly mounted within the housing 12. The motor 20 may be externally powered or, as shown in FIG. 1, may include a plug 22 for a battery (not shown) that provides power to the motor 20. The motor 20 drives a motor pinion 24 through a motor shaft 26. The motor pinion 24 engages and drives a drive gear 28.

[0028] The drive gear 28 is coaxially mounted to a drive shaft 30. The drive gear 28 and the drive shaft 30 thereby define a drive axis 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 30 includes a shoulder 32 that is sized to fit the inner diameter of drive gear 28. The drive shaft 30 is reduced in diameter at a first end 34 and a second end 36. The first end 34 and the second end 36 are adapted to fit within a front bearing 38 and a rear bearing 39, respectively, that are fixedly mounted by their outer races inside the housing 12. Such bearings may be, for example, radial cartridge bearings.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a reciprocator body 40 fits over the drive shaft 30. The reciprocator body 40 translates the rotary motion of the drive shaft 30 to reciprocating motion. The reciprocator body 40 interacts with the drive shaft 30 by means of a drive pin 42 within a groove 44 of drive shaft 30. The drive pin 42 is held in a fixed position relative to the reciprocator body 40 by a pin retainer cup 46. The drive pin 42 is freely rotatable relative to the reciprocator body 40 and the pin retainer cup 46.

[0030] Two embodiments of the drive pin configuration are shown in the drawings. In the first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a single drive pin 42 rides within a single groove 44. In the second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a drive pin 42′ and a follower pin 43′ ride within a groove 44′ and a follower groove 45′, respectively. The follower pin 43′ functions to more precisely locate the reciprocator body 40′ relative to the drive shaft 30′ and thereby prevent backlash. As shown in FIG. 7, the follower pin 43′ preferably has a frustoconical tip, and the follower groove 45′ is frustoconical in cross-sectional shape to receive the frustoconical tip. A further difference between the two illustrated embodiments is that in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive pin 42 rotates on bearings 48 separated by spacer 47. In the second embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the drive pin 42′ and the follower pin 43′ rotate on bushings 49′, such as sintered brass bushings, that separate the pins from the pin retainer cup 46′.

[0031] As one skilled in the art would recognize, the drive pin 42 will preferably be free to rotate relative to the pin retainer cup 46. Thus, the end of the drive pin 42 that rides within the groove 44 is preferably slightly smaller in size than the groove 44. The drive pin 42 will therefore roll along the sidewalls of the groove 44.

[0032] The pin retainer cup 46 may comprise a separate assembly that houses the drive pin 42 and is attached to the reciprocator body 40. Alternatively, the pin retainer cup 46 may, as shown in FIG. 2, comprise a plate that is attached at the end of the pin retainer cup to contain the drive pin 42. Such a plate or the entire pin retainer cup 46 may be affixed to the reciprocator body 40 by means of fasteners in order to permit disassembly and repair.

[0033]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the reciprocator body 40 includes a pair of the reciprocator pins 37 that extend from the side of the reciprocator body 40. As shown in the cross section of FIG. 4, the reciprocator pins 37 are reflected on both sides of the reciprocator body 40. The reciprocator pins 37 are generally cylindrical and have flattened top and bottom sides.

[0034] The reciprocator pins 37 of the reciprocator body 40 engage a pivot body 50. The pivot body 50 transfers the drive force to the spindle 14, and thus functions as an actuating member of the spindle 14. The pivot body 50 is pivotally mounted within the housing 12, and pivots about pivot axis 51.

[0035] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pivot body 50 is generally Y-shaped and includes a first end 52 that engages the spindle 14, and a second end 54 that engages the reciprocator body 40. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second end 54 includes two portions that are offset from the central axis of the reciprocating saw 10 and engage the two reciprocator pins 37 on either side of reciprocator body 40. The pivot body 50 further includes a pair of apertures 56 (FIG. 2) on either side of the pivot body 50, the apertures being configured to receive a pivot pin 58. The ends of pivot pin 58 are mounted within bushings 60 that are mounted within the housing 12.

[0036] The first end 52 includes an open slot 53 for engaging the spindle, and the second end 54 includes an open slot 55 on each side to engage the reciprocator pins. As the pivot body 50 pivots, and as the corresponding pins that are engaged within the slots 53, 55 reciprocate, the distance of the corresponding pins to the pivot axis 51 of the pivot body 50 changes. Therefore, an elongated slot is desired in the illustrated embodiment.

[0037] The first end 52 of the pivot body 50 engages spindle 14 by means of a spindle pin 62. The spindle pin 62 is cylindrical and engages the slot 53 in the first end 52. As FIG. 2 more clearly shows, the spindle pin 62 passes through an aperture 64 in the spindle 14, and the spindle pin 62 engages the walls of the aperture 64.

[0038] In the second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the arrangement of the interconnection between pivot body 50′ and spindle 14′ is different. The pivot body 50′ is generally X-shaped, having two portions on both the first end 52′ and the second end 54′. The first end 52′ engages the spindle pin 62′ on both sides of the spindle 14′. The first end 52′ of the pivot body 50′ is shown as having closed slots 53′, instead of an open slot as shown in the first embodiment. As long as the slots 53′ are sufficiently long to engage the spindle pin 62′ during the entire travel of the spindle 14′, either configuration will function properly.

[0039] In either embodiment, the spindle pin 62 may be flexibly mounted to the spindle 14, such that a shock absorber is mounted between the spindle pin 62 and spindle 14. FIGS. 5 and 7 show, in cross section, such an arrangement in which a shock absorber 66′ is made of an elastomeric, shock absorbing material, and is interconnected between the spindle pin 62 and 62′, respectively, and the spindle 14 and 14′, respectively.

[0040] The constructions shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 are similar and only the construction shown in FIG. 7 will be described in detail. Similar elements have the same reference number.

[0041] Because the spindle pin 62′ may move relative to the spindle 14′, the spindle 14′ is configured to permit such movement. For example, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the spindle pin 62′ extends through a longitudinal slot 74′ in the spindle 14′, instead of through the circular aperture 64 shown in FIG. 2.

[0042] As shown in the cross section of the spindle 14′ in FIG. 7, the spindle pin 62′ may be connected to a pin sleeve 68′ that fits in the center of the spindle 14′ and has a cylindrical passage for retaining the spindle pin 62′. The pin sleeve 68′ presses against the shock absorber 66′, and is mounted behind front shock portion 70′ and in front of rear shock portion 72′. The rear shock portion 72′ may be smaller such that the shock absorption is more stiff during the cutting stroke. The shock absorber 66′ provides greater shock absorption in the event that, for example, the blade 18 strikes a rigid object or is pinched during the return stroke. This increases the life of the mechanism and may prevent damage to the mechanism, as well as aiding the operator comfort.

[0043] It should be understood that the shock absorber 66′ and the front and rear shock portions 70′ and 72′ may be formed of any type of shock absorbing material, as any type of shock absorbing member, such as, for example, a spring member, or as any combination of shock absorbing materials and/or shock absorbing members.

[0044] The spindle 14 does not, in the preferred embodiment, reciprocate only along a spindle axis 15 that is parallel to the drive axis 31. Instead, for more effective cutting, the saw blade 18 can be moved with rocker motion as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/699,448, filed Aug. 19, 1996. In short, the spindle 14 is reciprocated by moving the spindle pin 62 within a spindle track 82 having an adjustable inclination. The spindle track 82 thus provides an adjustable spindle path.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the angle of the spindle 14 may be selectively varied by adjustment of the position of spindle track 82. The spindle track 82 is pivotally mounted to the housing 12 at one end and can therefore be angled up or down. Referring to FIG. 2, a fixed end 84 includes a pair of track pins 86 that pivotally engage the housing 12. At a free end 88 of the spindle track, a pin 90 extends rearward. The pin 90 engages a slot 92 in a cam 94. The slot 92 has a shape that varies the vertical position of the pin 90 as the cam 94 rotates. The cam 94 may rotate relative to the housing. The cam 94 may be moved using a tab 96 that protrudes through the top of the housing 12. By adding frictional engagement points, the cam 94 motion can be made such that the user selects one of several positions of the cam 94. Frictional engagement between the cam 94 and the housing 12 thus keeps the cam 94 in a selected position.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the position of the spindle track 82 is adjustable such that the free end 88 is either at, above or below a horizontal position (as viewed in FIG. 1). Thus, the “rocker” motion can be tailored to the particular working conditions, such as the type of material and the blade used. Further, as previously mentioned, the reciprocating saw 10 of the present invention may be used for upcutting and downcutting. The motion of the saw blade 18 may be selected for optimal cutting in both upcutting and downcutting conditions.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the spindle 14 is mounted at the forward end of the reciprocating saw 10 by a spindle bushing 80. The spindle bushing 80 has a cylindrical inner surface to engage the outer surface of the spindle 14, and a spherical outer surface so as to be pivotally mounted within the housing 12. In this way, the angle of the spindle 14 relative to the housing 12 may be varied. When the reciprocating saw 10 is adjusted so that the saw blade 18 is rocking up or down, the outside of the spindle bushing 80 pivots relative to the housing 12.

[0048] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, in the illustrated embodiment the reciprocator body 40 both translates force from the drive shaft 30 to the spindle 14, and also reciprocates in a direction largely opposed to the direction of the spindle 14, thereby counterbalancing the reciprocating saw 10. Thus, the reciprocator body 40 is both a driving mechanism and a counterweight at the same time, without additional mechanisms or complexity. It can be seen that a drive force path exists from the motor 20, through motor pinion 24 and drive gear 28, through drive shaft 30, through reciprocator body 40, through pivot body 50, through spindle 14, and finally to saw blade 18. The portion of the reciprocator body 40 that is truly essential for operation of the saw 10 is the portion around drive shaft 30, around groove 44, and that contacts the pivot body 50 (i.e., at reciprocator pin 37). Any additional mass of the reciprocator body 40 serves to reinforce the structure and to provide a counterweight. Because the travel of the spindle 14 and the reciprocator body 40 may be determined by the geometry of the mechanism, the reciprocator body 40 may be designed to provide an inertial force that substantially balances the spindle 14 and therefore the reciprocating saw 10.

[0049] More particularly, during the cutting stroke, typically when the saw blade 18 is being retracted, the spindle 14 is travelling along a substantially rearward path. Adjustment of the spindle track 82 moves the path of travel of the spindle 14 and saw blade 18 somewhat, but still the travel is still largely rearward. While the spindle 14 is retracting, the reciprocating member 40 is travelling along a path in a forward direction and parallel to the drive axis 31. Thus, a substantial vector component of the direction of travel of the saw blade 18 and the spindle 14 will be opposed to the direction of travel of the reciprocating member 40 during the cutting stroke. If the spindle 14 is adjusted to reciprocate longitudinally along the spindle axis 15, then the travel will be exactly opposed. During the return stroke, the path of travel of the spindle 14 and the reciprocating member will be exactly the same as the extending stroke, but the components are moving in the opposite direction.

[0050] An additional benefit of the invention is that the configuration of the drive mechanism of the reciprocating saw 10 permits adjustment of the length of travel of the spindle 14 and thus the saw blade 18. This may be accomplished by varying the position of pivot axis 51. More specifically, pivot axis 51 can be varied up or down as indicated by arrows 76 in FIG. 1, in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis 31 and the spindle axis 15, in order to vary the travel of the spindle 14. Different housings 12 could be created with different pivot axis 51 positions, or the pivot axis 51 position could be made selectively adjustable with a housing 12 having the pivot pin 58 and bushings 60 being movable to different positions and fastenable at a selected position.

[0051] FIGS. 8-11 illustrate an alternative construction of a reciprocating saw 10A embodying the invention. Common elements are identified by the same reference number “A”.

[0052] FIGS. 8-11 illustrate, in more detail, a construction for supporting the pivot pin 58A, defining the pivot axis 51A of the pivot body 50A, for movement relative to the housing 12A and for adjusting the position of the pivot pin 58A relative to the housing 12A. The illustrated construction may be used in either of the embodiments described above.

[0053] In the illustrated construction (see FIGS. 8-10), the pivot pin 58A is movable up or down as indicated by the arrows 76A, in a direction generally perpendicular to the drive axis 31A and to the spindle axis 15A, to vary the length of travel or stroke length of the spindle 14A. In the illustrated construction, the reciprocating saw 10A also includes a pivot axis adjustment assembly 100 to adjustably support the pivot pin 58A for movement relative to the housing 12A to change the stroke length of the spindle 14A.

[0054] The adjustment assembly 100 includes a pin support member 104 pivotably supported by the housing 12A for pivoting movement about a support member axis 108 defined by support member projections 112 engaging the housing 12A. The generally C-shaped pin support member 104 supports the ends of the pivot pin 58A and the bushings 60A and defines an adjustment slot 116.

[0055] The adjustment assembly 100 also includes an adjustment actuator 120 pivotably supported by the housing 12A and operatively connected to the pin support member 104. The adjustment actuator 120 includes an eccentric adjustment pin 124, engaging the adjustment slot 116, and a knob 128.

[0056] In operation, the adjustment assembly 100 is adjustable to move the pivot pin 58A between a first position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 9), in which the spindle 14A has a first stroke length L1, and a second position (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 9), in which the spindle 14A has a second stroke length L2. As the knob 128 is rotated by an operator (for example, in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9), the eccentric adjustment pin 124 moves in the adjustment slot 116, causing the pin support member 104 to pivot about the support member axis 108. In the illustrated construction, as the pin support member 104 pivots relative to the housing 12A, the pivot pin 58A is moved upwardly as indicated by the arrow 76A relative to the housing 12A to change the position of the pivot axis 51A relative to the housing 12A. In the illustrated construction, rotation of the knob 128 in the opposite, clockwise direction results in movement of the pivot pin 58A downwardly relative to the housing 12A. In the illustrated construction, the stroke length of the spindle 14A is infinitely adjustable between a minimum stroke length (for example, L2), resulting from the uppermost position of the eccentric adjustment pin 124, and a maximum stroke length (for example, L1), resulting from the lowermost position of the eccentric adjustment pin 124.

[0057] The relative position of the pivot pin 58A (and the pivot axis 51A) relative to the reciprocator pin 37A and the spindle pin 62A defines the stroke length of the spindle 14A. In the first position, the pivot pin 58A (and the pivot axis 51A) is a first distance from the reciprocator pin 37A and a first distance from the spindle pin 62A, resulting in the first stroke length L1 of the spindle 14A. In the second position, the pivot pin 58A (and the pivot axis 51A) is a greater distance from the reciprocator pin 37 and a lesser distance from the spindle pin 62A, resulting in the second stroke length L2, which is shorter than the first stroke length L1.

[0058] It should be understood that, in other constructions (not shown), the pivot pin 58A may be supported in a different manner for movement relative to the housing 12A to adjust the stroke length of the spindle 14A. For example, in another construction (not shown), a pin support member (similar to the pin support member 104) may be supported for sliding movement relative to the housing 12A (for example, generally perpendicular to the drive axis 31A and to the spindle axis 15A), rather than for pivoting movement, to adjust the position of the pivot pin 58A relative to the housing 12A.

[0059] Also, in yet another construction (not shown), a different adjustment actuator may be provided to move a pin support member or to move the pivot pin 58A. For example, a sliding actuator (similar to the cam 94 in the rocker motion assembly) may be used to adjust the position of the pivot pin 58A relative to the housing 12A.

[0060] The adjustment assembly 100 also includes an indicator arrangement 132 for indicating the adjusted position of the pivot pin 58A and the resulting stroke length of the spindle 14A. As shown in FIG. 10, the indicator arrangement 132 includes a first indicator member 136 on the knob 128 and a plurality of second indicator members 140 (one shown) on the housing 12A.

[0061] In the first position of the pivot pin 58A (shown in solid lines in FIG. 9 and in FIG. 10), the first indicator member 136 is aligned with one of the second indicator members 140 (shown in FIG. 10) to indicate the first stroke length of the spindle 14A. In the second position of the pivot pin 58A (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 9), the first indicator member 136 is misalinged with the one of the second indicator members 140 (shown in FIG. 9) and is aligned with another of the second indicator members 140 (not shown) to indicate the second stroke length of the spindle 14A.

[0062] While the several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the present invention. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims: 

We claim:
 1. A reciprocating saw comprising: a housing; a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having a front end adapted to support a saw blade; a motor for moving the spindle in a reciprocating fashion; and a shock absorber mounted on the spindle and operatively positioned between the motor and the front end to at least partially absorb impact to the front end.
 2. The reciprocating saw of claim 1 , and further comprising an actuating member driven by the motor and interconnected with the spindle to reciprocate the spindle, the shock absorber being interconnected between the front end and the actuating member.
 3. The reciprocating saw of claim 1 , wherein the shock absorber is at least partially mounted within the spindle.
 4. The reciprocating saw of claim 1 , wherein the shock absorber comprises an elastomeric cushion.
 5. The reciprocating saw of claim 1 , wherein the spindle is movable in a direction of spindle movement through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, and further comprising a reciprocating member interconnecting the motor with the spindle, the reciprocating member being movable in a direction of reciprocating member movement, the direction of reciprocating member movement being at least partially opposed to the direction of the spindle movement, wherein the motor and the spindle define a drive force path from the motor to the spindle, and wherein at least part of the reciprocating member is in the drive force path.
 6. The reciprocating saw of claim 5 , wherein the reciprocating member is configured to counterbalance movement of the spindle.
 7. The reciprocating saw of claim 5 , wherein the reciprocating member has substantially the same mass as the spindle.
 8. The reciprocating saw of claim 5 , wherein the spindle has an inertial force, and wherein the reciprocating member is positioned to provide an inertial force substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the inertial force of the spindle during the cutting stroke and the return stroke.
 9. The reciprocating saw of claim 5 , wherein the reciprocating member defines a reciprocating member axis, wherein the spindle defines a spindle axis, and wherein the reciprocating member axis is offset from the spindle axis.
 10. The reciprocating saw of claim 9 , wherein the reciprocating member axis is substantially parallel to the spindle axis.
 11. The reciprocating saw of claim 5 , and further comprising a drive shaft that is driven by the motor, and wherein the reciprocating member is driven by the drive shaft.
 12. The reciprocating saw of claim 5 , wherein the reciprocating member comprises a barrel cam.
 13. The reciprocating saw of claim 1 , and further comprising a pivot body pivotally supported by the housing, the pivot body having a first end interconnected with the spindle and a second end interconnected with the motor.
 14. The reciprocating saw of claim 13 , wherein the spindle includes a spindle pin, and wherein the pivot body includes a slot receiving the spindle pin.
 15. The reciprocating saw of claim 13 , wherein the pivot body is supported by a pivot pin between the first end and the second end, the pivot pin defining a pivot axis.
 16. The reciprocating saw of claim 15 , wherein the pivot pin is supported for movement relative to the housing.
 17. The reciprocating saw of claim 16 , and further comprising an adjustment assembly supporting the pivot pin for movement relative to the housing.
 18. The reciprocating saw of claim 17 , wherein the adjustment assembly includes a pin support member movably supported by the housing, the pivot pin being supported by the pin support member for movement relative to the housing with the pin support member, and an actuator member for moving the pin support member relative to the housing.
 19. The reciprocating saw of claim 15 , wherein the spindle is driven to an extent, and wherein the pivot pin is movable perpendicular to the pivot axis to thereby vary the extent to which the spindle is driven.
 20. The reciprocating saw of claim 15 , wherein the spindle has a stroke length, and wherein the pivot pin is movable perpendicular to the pivot axis to change the stroke length of the spindle.
 21. The reciprocating saw of claim 15 , wherein the pivot body is pinned to the housing at the pivot point.
 22. A reciprocating saw comprising: a housing; a motor supported by the housing; a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having a front end adapted to support a saw blade; a drive mechanism connected between the motor and the spindle and operable to reciprocate the spindle; and a shock absorber mounted on the spindle and operatively positioned between the drive mechanism and the front end to at least partially absorb impact to the front end.
 23. The reciprocating saw of claim 22 , wherein the drive mechanism includes an actuating member driven by the motor and interconnected with the spindle to reciprocate the spindle, the shock absorber being interconnected between the front end and the actuating member.
 24. The reciprocating saw of claim 22 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a pivot body pivotally supported by the housing, the pivot body having a first end interconnected with the spindle and a second end interconnected with the motor, the shock absorber being between the front end and the first end.
 25. The reciprocating saw of claim 24 , wherein the spindle includes a spindle pin, and wherein the first end of the pivot body engages the spindle pin.
 26. The reciprocating saw of claim 25 , wherein the pivot body includes a slot receiving the spindle pin.
 27. The reciprocating saw of claim 25 wherein the spindle includes a spindle body supporting the spindle pin, the shock absorber being between the spindle body and the spindle pin.
 28. The reciprocating saw of claim 24 , wherein the pivot body is supported by a pivot pin between the first end and the second end, the pivot pin defining a pivot axis.
 29. The reciprocating saw of claim 28 , wherein the spindle has a stroke length, and wherein the pivot pin is movable perpendicular to the pivot axis to change the stroke length of the spindle.
 30. The reciprocating saw of claim 22 , wherein the shock absorber is at least partially mounted within the spindle.
 31. The reciprocating saw of claim 22 , wherein the shock absorber comprises an elastomeric cushion.
 32. A reciprocating saw comprising: a housing; a motor supported by the housing; a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having a front end adapted to support a saw blade, the spindle including a spindle body and a spindle pin; a drive mechanism connected between the motor and the spindle and operable to reciprocate the spindle, the drive mechanism including a pivot body pivotally supported by the housing, the pivot body having a first end engaging the spindle pin and a second end interconnected with the motor; and a shock absorber mounted on the spindle between the spindle body and the spindle pin to at least partially absorb impact to the front end.
 33. A reciprocating saw comprising: a housing; a motor supported by the housing; a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having a front end for supporting a saw blade and being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length; and a pivot body connected between the motor and the spindle, the pivot body being driven by the motor to reciprocate the spindle, the pivot body being pivotable relative to the housing about a pivot pin defining a pivot axis, the pivot pin having a position relative to the housing, the position of the pivot pin being selectively adjustable relative to the housing to vary the stroke length of the spindle.
 34. The reciprocating saw of claim 33 , wherein the position of the pivot pin is selectively adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis.
 35. The reciprocating saw of claim 33 , wherein the spindle defines a spindle axis, the pivot axis being offset from the spindle axis, wherein the position of the pivot pin is selectively adjusted to vary the offset between the spindle axis and the pivot axis.
 36. The reciprocating saw of claim 35 , wherein the pivot axis is perpendicular to the spindle axis.
 37. The reciprocating saw of claim 33 , and further comprising a reciprocating member driven by the motor for reciprocation along a drive axis, wherein the pivot body has a first end connected with the spindle and a second end connected with the reciprocating member.
 38. The reciprocating saw of claim 37 , wherein the pivot axis is offset from the drive axis.
 39. The reciprocating saw of claim 37 , wherein the pivot axis is movable relative to the drive axis to change the stroke length of the spindle.
 40. The reciprocating saw of claim 33 , and further comprising an adjustment assembly supporting the pivot pin for movement relative to the housing to adjust the stroke length of the spindle.
 41. The reciprocating saw of claim 40 , wherein the adjustment assembly includes a pin support member movably supported by the housing, the pivot pin being supported by the pin support member for movement relative to the housing with the pin support member, and an actuator member for moving the pin support member relative to the housing.
 42. The reciprocating saw of claim 41 , and further comprising an actuator member for moving the pin support member relative to the housing.
 43. The reciprocating saw of claim 42 , wherein the actuator member is pivotable relative to the housing to move the pin support member relative to the housing.
 44. The reciprocating saw of claim 43 , wherein the pin support member defines an adjustment slot, and wherein the actuator member includes an eccentric adjustment pin movable in the adjustment slot to move the pin support member relative to the housing.
 45. The reciprocating saw of claim 41 , wherein the pin support member is pivotable relative to the housing to move the pivot pin relative to the housing.
 46. The reciprocating saw of claim 33 , and further comprising a shock absorber positioned between the front end and the pivot body to at least partially absorb impact to the front end.
 47. The reciprocating saw of claim 33 , wherein the spindle includes a spindle pin, and wherein the pivot body includes a first end engaging the spindle pin.
 48. The reciprocating saw of claim 47 , wherein the pivot body includes a slot receiving the spindle pin.
 49. The reciprocating saw of claim 48 , wherein the pivot body has a longitudinal axis, the slot extending along the longitudinal axis, the spindle pin being movable in the slot along the longitudinal axis.
 50. The reciprocating saw of claim 47 wherein the spindle includes a spindle body supporting the spindle pin, and further comprising a shock absorber between the spindle body and the spindle pin.
 51. A reciprocating saw comprising: a housing; a motor supported by the housing a spindle supported for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having an end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke having a stroke length; a reciprocating member driven by the motor for reciprocation along a drive axis; and a pivot body having a first end connected with the spindle and a second end connected with the reciprocating member so that, as the reciprocating member reciprocates, the pivot body reciprocates the spindle, the pivot body being supported for pivoting movement about a pivot pin defining a pivot axis, the pivot pin being movable relative to the housing to selectively change the stroke length of the spindle.
 52. The reciprocating saw of claim 51 , wherein the pivot axis is movable relative to the drive axis to change the stroke length of the spindle.
 53. The reciprocating saw of claim 51 , wherein the spindle defines a spindle axis, and wherein the pivot axis is movable relative to the spindle axis to change the stroke length of the spindle.
 54. The reciprocating saw of claim 51 , and further comprising an adjustment assembly supporting the pivot pin for movement relative to the housing to adjust the stroke length of the spindle.
 55. The reciprocating saw of claim 54 , wherein the adjustment assembly includes a pin support member movably supported by the housing, the pivot pin being supported by the pin support member for movement relative to the housing with the pin support member, and an actuator member for moving the pin support member relative to the housing.
 56. The reciprocating saw of claim 55 , and further comprising an actuator member for moving the pin support member relative to the housing.
 57. The reciprocating saw of claim 56 , wherein the actuator member is pivotable relative to the housing to move the pin support member relative to the housing.
 58. The reciprocating saw of claim 57 , wherein the pin support member defines an adjustment slot, and wherein the actuator member includes an eccentric adjustment pin movable in the adjustment slot to move the pin support member relative to the housing.
 59. The reciprocating saw of claim 55 , wherein the pin support member is pivotable relative to the housing to move the pivot pin relative to the housing.
 60. The reciprocating saw of claim 51 , wherein the spindle includes a spindle pin, and wherein the pivot body includes a first end engaging the spindle pin.
 61. The reciprocating saw of claim 60 , wherein the pivot body includes a slot receiving the spindle pin.
 62. The reciprocating saw of claim 61 , wherein the pivot body has a longitudinal axis, the slot extending along the longitudinal axis, the spindle pin being movable in the slot along the longitudinal axis.
 63. The reciprocating saw of claim 60 wherein the spindle includes a spindle body supporting the spindle pin, and further comprising a shock absorber between the spindle body and the spindle pin.
 64. A reciprocating saw comprising: a housing; a motor supported by the housing a spindle supported for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having an end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke having a stroke length; a pivot body having a first end connected with the spindle and a second end interconnected with the motor so that the pivot body is operable to reciprocate the spindle, the pivot body being supported for pivoting movement about a pivot pin defining a pivot axis, the pivot pin being movable relative to the housing; and an adjustment assembly supporting the pivot pin for movement relative to the housing to adjust the stroke length of the spindle.
 65. The reciprocating saw of claim 64 , wherein the adjustment assembly includes a pin support member movably supported by the housing, the pivot pin being supported by the pin support member for movement relative to the housing with the pin support member, and an actuator member for moving the pin support member relative to the housing.
 66. The reciprocating saw of claim 65 , and further comprising an actuator member for moving the pin support member relative to the housing.
 67. The reciprocating saw of claim 66 , wherein the actuator member is pivotable relative to the housing to move the pin support member relative to the housing.
 68. The reciprocating saw of claim 67 , wherein the pin support member defines an adjustment slot, and wherein the actuator member includes an eccentric adjustment pin movable in the adjustment slot to move the pin support member relative to the housing.
 69. The reciprocating saw of claim 65 , wherein the pin support member is pivotable relative to the housing to move the pivot pin relative to the housing.
 70. The reciprocating saw of claim 64 , wherein the spindle includes a spindle pin, and wherein the pivot body includes a first end engaging the spindle pin.
 71. The reciprocating saw of claim 70 , wherein the pivot body includes a slot receiving the spindle pin.
 72. The reciprocating saw of claim 71 , wherein the pivot body has a longitudinal axis, the slot extending along the longitudinal axis, the spindle pin being movable in the slot along the longitudinal axis.
 73. The reciprocating saw of claim 70 wherein the spindle includes a spindle body supporting the spindle pin, and further comprising a shock absorber between the spindle body and the spindle pin.
 74. The reciprocating saw of claim 64 , and further comprising an indicator arrangement for indicating the stroke length of the spindle, the indicator arrangement including a first indicator member provided by the adjustment assembly, and a second indicator member provided on the housing, the first indicator member being aligned with the second indicator member to indicate a first stroke length and being misaligned with the second indicator member to indicate a second stroke length. 